Are the Thunder Contenders?

The Thunder have surged up the Western Conference standings after a slow start to the season, in part because Russell Westbrook missed time during training camp, and now they boast one of the league’s best records at 16-7 and are riding a four-game winning streak.

Paul Pierce believes the Thunder may be the team best equipped to take down the Warriors in a seven-game series come playoff time because they have multiple stars that can carry a team, unlike many of the other playoff contenders in the West.

“I think they’re pretty dangerous because when I look at the team sin the current top-8 of the playoff race, outside of the Golden State Warriors, they’re the only team that can put two All-Stars on the court,” Pierce said. “They’re going to be very dangerous come playoff time.”